Studying in USA is not about gaining a degree- it’s about learning in a dynamic space that nurtures personal growth, innovation, and a global perspective. With1.1 million international students,the United States of America has emerged as the top choice for education over the years. The country boasts16 out of 50 major top universitiesin the world, according to QS World Rankings 2024. Overall, a multicultural environment, quality education, a unique curriculum & innovation, entrepreneurship & post-study opportunities, etc. are the major reasons for the student's passion to study in USA.
The United States of America has been ranked 3rd in the world in attracting international students to study abroad. Indian student enrollment in the United States increased by 19% in 2021-22, surpassing China in 2022-23. 82,000 US visas were issued to Indian students from June to August, the highest among all nations. Here are the key factors to know for your USA study plan:
Renowned for its esteemed academic institutions, the USA provides exceptional programs that offer immersive learning. The list given below mainly includes STEM courses but there are other certain courses that US universities are well known for. Here are the best courses to study in USA for International students:
The popular courses to study in United States are:
- Business and Management
- Engineering and Technology
- Marine Biology and Life Sciences
- Maths & Computer Science
- Medicine
- Liberal Arts
- Law
- Data Science & Analytics
- Top universities in the USA
- with their teaching standards and pedagogical system
- significantly contribute to the overall development of students. Here are the popular universities you can choose to study in the USA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Stanford University
- Harvard University
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- University of Chicago
- Princeton University
- Columbia University
- Yale University
- University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
- University of California
- Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
The cost to apply for an F-1 student visa is USD $510 (INR 42,203). Make sure you apply early so that authorities get ample time to process your application. It will also help you get enough time to arrange additional documents required for your visa application and further your university application.
Study Program | Public Universities | Private Universities |
---|---|---|
Bachelor's Degree (Licence) | $25,000 to $35,000 per year | $35,000 to $55,000 per year |
Master's Degree | $25,000 to $40,000 per year | $30,000 to $60,000 per year |
The average cost of living in the USA is estimated to be between $2,500 and $3,500 per month, depending on location and lifestyle. The two major components that make up the overall cost of living in USA are accommodation and meal expenses. If your budget is limited, it is better to choose student accommodation. The cost of living is comparatively higher for students living in cities than those living in suburban parts of the US. Besides, some expenses are unavoidable. Here is a breakdown of general living expenses in the US for international students to know before creating a budget plan.
Expenses | Cost per month (Approx.) |
---|---|
Housing | $8,000 to $15,000 per year |
Food | $3,000 to $5,000 per year |
Transportation | $1,000 to $2,500 per year |
Books and Supplies | $1,000 to $2,000 per year |
Health Insurance | $1,000 to $2,500 per year |
Generally, candidates get scholarships based on interviews conducted by the admission representatives. International students planning to study in USA are offered many scholarships. Most of them are government-funded, non-government, and university-specific. These scholarships are granted based on merit or excellence in any extracurricular activities. If you want to reduce your educational expenses, it is important to know the top scholarships for Indian students to study in USA and apply. Here are the details:
Scholarship Name | Description |
---|---|
Fulbright Foreign Student Program (Government funded) | International students for studying graduate programs |
Rotary Peace Fellowships | International students for Certificate or Master’s degree related to peace and conflict resolution |
United World Colleges International Youth Scholarships | International students planning to study bachelor’s degree in USA |
PEO International peace scholarship for women | Female students studying graduate programs |
Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships | Students for pursuing Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs |
Clark Global Scholarship Program | International students studying a bachelor’s degree and expressing financial need |
University Scholarships | Fully funded scholarships for both graduate and undergraduate programs offered by individual universities. |
While studying in the USA, students can work part-time and have two options to choose from, namely, working on-campus and off-campus. In on-campus employment, students can take up work within the college/university campus, whereas off-campus work is related to the institution. Students can undertake off-campus jobs under 4 categories- Optional Practice Training (OPT) ,Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Economic hardship, and at last, International Organizations. Students are allowed to work 20 hours per week part-time and can work full-time during vacations or after completing their studies. Currently, the minimum wage set by the federal government is $7.25 an hour. Each state decides its own minimum pay rules, lowest pay ranging from $7.25 and $15 (600 and 1,241 in Indian Rupees) an hour.
The documents required to apply for the open work permit are:
- Barista - $11.59 (Rs.961/-) per hour
- Campus Ambassador - $10.94 (Rs.907/-) per hour
- Receptionist - $13.31 (Rs. 1
- 105/-) per hour
- Sales Assistant - $20 (Rs.1
- 660/-) per hour
- Department Assistant - $16.44 (Rs.1
- 365/-) per hour
- Food Runner - $12 (Rs.990/-) per hour